BF El Djazair Begins Second Timimoun Wheat Campaign
The BF El Djazair agro-industrial project in Timimoun will initiate its second agricultural campaign in October, marking the launch of new wheat sowing efforts. Bruno Santorelli, the General Director, informed Agenzia Nova about the upcoming campaign. Established in 2024, the joint venture between the Italian agro-industrial group BF and Algeria's National Investment Fund (FNI) is structured with BF holding 51% and the Algerian side 49%. Valued at an estimated 420 million euros, the project spans 36,000 hectares in the Timimoun wilaya, with approximately 24,000 hectares designated for agricultural activities. The program outlines the production of durum wheat, chickpeas, lentils, dry beans, and corn, alongside the development of essential infrastructure for irrigation, storage, and processing. Mr. Santorelli affirmed that the project is progressing according to its established timeline.
The Algerian party has already fulfilled its capital contribution and provided the necessary land and water resources for the project. Ongoing administrative procedures are described as typical for an investment of this scale. Water management is a critical aspect, given the project's location in a Saharan zone. BF El Djazair plans to develop wells, distribution networks, and pivot irrigation systems. These will integrate with precision agriculture tools and digital mapping, allowing for monitoring of crops and water consumption to optimize irrigation and resource utilization. Furthermore, the project includes provisions for windbreaks and other measures to mitigate the effects of wind erosion and sand encroachment.
Beyond agricultural production, BF El Djazair is committed to developing comprehensive storage and processing infrastructure. The plans encompass silos, logistical equipment, and industrial units, including facilities for pasta production. The objective is to consolidate various stages of the supply chain—from production to storage and transformation—on a single site to enhance added value within Algeria. The project is also projected to have a substantial impact on employment, with estimates indicating over 6,700 total jobs, including more than 1,560 direct positions. These roles will cover agricultural activities and related sectors such as transport, maintenance, logistics, spare parts, and technical services. Bruno Santorelli expressed an ambition for the project to evolve from a purely agricultural endeavor into a regional platform, fostering the development of other economic activities across southern Algeria.
